Electric switch.



R. H. FENKHAUSEN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1912 ATTORNEYS R. H. PBNKHAUSEN. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1912.

07g INVENTOR ATTORNEYS R. H. FBNKHAUSEN.

' ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLf ATION FILED SEPTA. 1912.

1 ,070,6'74. Patented Aug. 1 9, 1913.

3 SHEETS*SHEET 3.

WITNESSES RUDOLPH E. FENKHAUSEN, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

- ELEcrEIc swrrcni.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patent-ed Aug. 19, 1913,

Application led September 4, 1912. Serial No. 718,452.

T0 all 'whom "it may concern: f y

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH H. FENE- HAUSEN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a new and `useful Electric Switch, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates-to a novel combination of a starting device for electric motors and the like, having reference particularly to alternating current motors, and comprises more particularly a novel knife-switch mechanism for controlling the current to the main-line conductors, and has for an object to provide a switch-mechanism, which is normally locked in neutral position against movement from this position to the running contact position.

It has for a further object toprovide a simple and effective means for protecting the motor during the sta'rting operation and which, according to the novel features of my invention, must be thrown into operation be-v fore the switch can be shifted to its running position, .thereby eliminating the danger incident to throwing the switch through inadvertence or mistake from the neutral position to the running position.

In starting devices heretofore used in practice, it has been generally necessary to employ a compensator for use during the starting operation of a motor, and a further object. of my invention is to provide amechanism which dispenses with the use of a compensatorv or like device and which serves Vthe same purpose of protecting they main line :machines from a too heavy current during the starting operation.'

To the 'above ends, my invention consists of a double throw switch, adapted to move from neutral to starting and running position and provided with means to automatically throw said switch from starting position to running position at a predetermined time.

It also consists of a'novel construction of a double throw switch having two sets of fuses provided with suitable connections, one set. of fuses being adapted for higher amperage than the other.

It also consists of a novel construction of a double throw switch having two sets of fuses having suitable connections, one o Jplurality of openings, 7 with which dowel :E are respectively adapted to engage.

said sets being adapted for higher mperage than the other, and means to lock said switch in neutral position to prevent movement of said switch in one direction. It' further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth. 60

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment which is at present preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is. to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and 4organized and. that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and 4de'- scribed. Figure l represents a transverse 'section of a double throw switch and its aduncts 75 comprising my invention. Fig. 2 represents p a section on line Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents on a reduced scale a section on line y-/y of Fig. l. Fig. 4 represents an elevation of the inner side of the cover plate of the switch casing showing my'novel switch locking mechanism. Fig. 5 represents a detail of one section of the switch casing showing the preferred type of attaching means therefor. Fig. 6 represents a sectionA of a portion of the'device showing certain details of construction. Fig. 7 re'presentsqa perspective view partly in-section showing the position the parts assume when moving.

Similar numerals of reference indicate 90 corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings :-1 designates the-casing for the switch and its'adjuncts, which in the present instance is formed in sections 'in order to permit easy access to any of the parts contained therein. As here shown there is preferably a rear plate 2,' to which is fixedly secured the top and bottom plates, v3 and 4, while the side plates 5, are each detachably connected to the rear plate 2, as is also the front plate or cover 6.

VAs a means for readily permitting removal of the side plates 5, I preferably provide a members, 8,*forming a part of the sides, 5, Thisconstruction correctly locates and retains the said side plates relative to the remaining sections of the casing, and they are furthermore locked and held against displace- .nient by providing slots, 9, in one edge of be removed entirely, by withdrawing the dowels 8 from the rear plate 2. The interior portion of the casing is preferably lined with asbestos 12, or like material, for a purpose readilyapparent.

The partition members 11 pass transversely at spaced intervals from one side of the casing to the other, being secured by screws, 13 or the like, to the rear plate '2, and thus divide the casing into three compartments which are designated by the reference numerals 14, 15 and'16. Attention is directed to the fact that these partitions 11 are preferably of non-conducting or insulating material and serve as supports for certain of the contact and conducting elements of the switch and its ac`cessories.

17 designates a base-block, preferably of insulating material, which is suitably secured to the plate 2, by means of screws, 18, or the like, and forms' a support for the switch lever, 19. This lever, in the present instance, is a conventional type of vknii'e switch, having in the present instance three contact blades 20, each of which is pivotallyv connected or mounted between the bifurcated ends of a contact plate 21.. These plates 21 are preferably of copper-to form a suitable conductor for the current, and are electrically connected ,to the said blades by means of bolts 22, as will -be apparent. `The blades 20 have their outer end-s,

as is customary, joined to a bar 23 of insulating material, and to this bar the switch handle, 24, is connected, the connection in the present instance comprising a pair ot' threaded rods, 25, secured at one end to the bar 23 and at the opposite end by means of nuts, 26, to the strip 27.

The line wires 28., of. which in the present case there are three, are le'd through a suitable itting, 29, of porcelain or the like in? sulatingmaterlal, each wire of course passlng through a separate opening, and being v soldered or otherwise unlted to its respective plate 21.

designates a set or gang of spring contacts carried by one of the partitions 11 and each of which is located in the path of movement of one of the switch lever blades 20 and itwill of course be' understood, that,

as customary, these spring contacts are provided with a bifurcated end, 31, adapted to receive the blade 20 and form a good- `pressure thereon.

electrical Contact therewith, the said ends being so adjusted as to require a spreading action when the blade is seated therein. This action of course creates a tension which insures the desired contact. In order to guide the blades 20 into their respective cc-ntact, the bifurcated portions of each clip are outwardly tlared as shown at 32, thus insuring a proper contact even though the clips may have become slightly bent out ot' proper alinement.

33 designates spring-sockets, secured to the partitions 11 by means of screws, 34, or the like, and which also serve to connect the clips 30 to the same partition, thereb'y affording electrical connection between the two members on 'opposite sides of the said partition. In the present instance there is one of these sockets for each clip 30 and each serves to support in a detachable' manner one end ot' a fuse, 35, the opposite end of which is likewise supported in spring sockets, 3G, ot' similar' design, which are connected through the partition 11 with bolts and nuts, 37. It

'will thus be apparent that thecompartment 15 serves as a receptacle for a p1urality of fuses which can readily be reached by sliding ,out the side plate 5, as already explained. The compartment 16 also contains a plurality of fuses, 38, which, in the present instance, are similarly mounted in sockets connected respectively to clips and nuts and as the construction of-these elements is exactly similar to that described for theopposite side of the casing, the same reference numerals will be applied thereto.

-There is ofcourse a diiference, as regards the electrical connections for the nuts 39, since they are respectively connected by conductors, 40, with the nuts 37 and each has a line wire, 41, electrically united thereto 'and passing through the tting 29 to the point of use. ,Y y

42 designates a springsuitably secured at one end to a fixed portion of the device, and having its free end in alinement with one of the blades 2O of theswitch member '19, and the neutral position of this lever is shown in Fig. 2. The spring 42 preferably restsy against the blade without exerting lany If, however, the switch member is moved to the ri ght, as shown in Fig. 2` tothe starting position, the spring immediately comes into action tending to throw the lever out ot' contact andvreturn it to neutral position, so therefore it-is necessary to manually hold the lever in its vstarting position.

48 designates a lock or latch member suitably pivoted 'at 44 to the cover 6, and provided with a latch linger, 45, adjacent which a cam tace, 46, is located, and it will be noted that in operative position the cam face 46 is disposed between the. latch 45 and the It will of course be understood that 'the lever handle 24 projects on the outside of the casing in order that the knife-switch may be properly operated, and I therefore provide a pair of slots, 47, in the cover 6, through which the rods 25 are adapted to pass and within which they may Slide from one position to another,O It is with one of these rods 25 that the .latch 45 coperates and itwill be seen lthatwhen the lever is in neutral position it cannot be moved toward the run-v ning side of the switch without first moving it to the starting side. Vhen once at the starting side, itcan be shifted to thev running side by quick movement `which causes l the rod 25 to strike the cam surface 46 and raises the latch temporarily out of its path, and, before the latch drops back to its normal position, the rod -and switch lever paspassed out of thevline of travel of the atc Attention is now directed to an important' fact relative to the two sets of fuses 35 and 38, and that is, that the former 35 on the starting side of the switch are vadapted for a much higher amperage. than those on the running side or' 38, since these latter are only of sufficient amperage to give adequate current on the running side. The reasons for this construction will be readily apparent when it is stated that it is common and general practice to utilize, in connection with a three pole switch, but one set of fuses, namely those 4of low amperag'e for the running currentl while the starting current is taken care of by a rheostator compensator, which is thrown into-the circuit until the i line has come up to load and then it is thrown out andthe fuses protect the line. In my present invention I have devised a switch mechanism which does not require the use of a compensator or other apparatus of a like nature, but instead, a second set of fuses of higher amper-age is 4employed during the vstarting operation.

In normal position of the switch, with no current -iiowing to the line, the knife switchlever 19 is in neutral position as shown in full line Figs. l and 2 and in @this position it is securely locked by lthe latch '45 against movement toward the running side of the device. When it is desired to close the circuit and throw the current into the line, the knife-switch member is manually shifted to the starting side, thus bringing the blades 2O into contact with the spring contacts 31, and throwing the current into the line through the large fuses 35. In this position the operator holds the switch member against the tension of the spring 42, fora length of time sufficient to bring the line up to load, and to normal running condition, after which the lever is relieved and the spring 42 kicks or throws the lever over to the running side into engagement with the spring contacts 3l on that side, and diverts the current through the small running fuses 38. The latch-member 42 is rendered inoperative during this movement owing to the fact that the rods 25 of the switch member strike the cam 46`and throw the latch 45 out of the path of movement of the switch member,` which latter ntraverses the space so "quickly, that it has assumed a running position before the latch V45 drops back to its normal position.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a complete unitary structure, simple in construction and edective in use and embodying a compact inc-losing casing for its adjuncts comprising features which leave no live metal or wires exposed and furthermore which is locked in neutral position and cannot, therefore, be accidentally or inadvertently shifted to running position, said locking mechanism being only released after a movement tothe starting position. It further comprises avplurality of compartments independent switch oompartmenuleach of which is read' ily accessible for the replacement of fuses of each other and of the main without opening the-main compartment lor v without opening but the one compartment i inwhich the fuses to be replaced are located. It will be seen that the lever 25 swings in a planeat a right angle to that in which the latch 43 swings, and the latch 43 lies transversely across `the lever. rIhe lever 25 is spring actuated, while the latch 43 is gravity actuated. Therefore the lever 25 may move in horizontal plane while the latch 43-may move in a vertical plane. fIhe advantage of this arrangement, is that the movement of the lever more positively pushes the latch away from its path-of movement as it crosses the neutral position. At the lsame time a simple structure is edected.v

Having'thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let.

ters Patent is -v 1. In a device of the character described,

an outer casing, spaced terminals therein, a

spring-pressed leverpivotally mounted and adapted to` engage said terminals, a ,gravity latch located within said casing and pivotally mounted and engageable with said `lever to hold the same in a -neutral position between-said terminals, said lever and latchv being arranged to swing in planes approximately at a right angle to each other, and a support for the free end of said latch, whereby the latter is normally retained in proper relation to said lever.

located on opposite sides of said switch and having suitable connections, one of said sets of fuses being adapted for higher amperage than the other, a latch located within saidcasing for preventing movement of said switch in one direction, means operated by the movement of said switch from starting to running position to release said latch Iafter said switch has first .been moved to starting position, and an' elastic medium located in the starting path of movement of said switch within said casing and adapted to throw said switch to running position.

3. In a device of the character stated, the combination of a casing, a double throw switch pivoted in said casing, a lever secured to said switch and projecting exteriorly of said casing, a cover for said casing having a slot therein, serving as a guide for said lever, a plurality of sets of fuses located on op osite sides' of said' switch and having suitab e connections, one of said sets of fuses being adapted for higher amperage than the other, a latchv located within .said casing for preventing movement of said switch, in one direction, in inoperative position of s aid switch, means operated by the movement of said switch from vstarting to running position to release said latch, after said switch has first been moved to starting position, and a tension device located in the starting path of movement` of saidswitch and adapted to be placed under tension by contact with said switch whereby said switch is automatically thrownto running position when released.

4. In la device of the character stated, the combination of a casing, a double throw switch pivoted iny said casing, a lever sccured to said switch and projecting eX- teriorly of said casing, a cover for. said casing having a slot therein serving as a guide.

for said lever, a plurality of sets of fuses located on opposite sides of said switch and having suitable/connections, one of said sets of fuses being adapted for higher amperage than the other, a latch located in said casing for preventing movement of said switch in one direction, in inoperative position of said switch, means operated by the movement of said switch to running position to s' release said latch after said switch yhas first been moved to starting position, and ya spring having one end secured to a fixed point and its free end extendinginto the starting path of movement of said switch and adapted to be placed under tension by 4whereby said switch is automatically contact with said switch, whereby said switch is automatically thrown to running position.

5'. In a device of the character stated, the combination of a casing, a double throw switch pivotally mounted in said casing for lateral movement, a pair of rods xedly secured to said switch and projecting' eX- teriorly of said casing, an operating member carried by said rods, a cover for said casing having a plurality of slots therein, each slo-t serving as a guide for one of said rods, a plurality of sets of fuses lbocated on opposite sides of said switch and 'having suitable connections, one of said sets of fuses being adapted for higher'amperage than the other, a pivotallymounted latch contained within said casing and intermediately of said sets of fuses for preventing movement of said -switch in one direction, in inoperative position of said switch, means operated by the movement of said switch to running position to release said latch after said switch has first been moved to starting position, and an elastic medium located in the starting path of movement of said switch and .adapted to throw said switch to running position.

6. In a device of the character stated, the

combination of. a casing, a double throw switch pivotally mounted in said casing for lateral movement, a pair of rods secured to said switch and projecting exteriorly of said. casing, an operating member carried by saidA rods, a cover for said casing having a plurality of slots therein, each slot serving as a guide for one of said rods, a plurality'of sets of fuses having suitable connections,

one of said sets of fuses being adapted for higher amperage than the other, a pivotally mounted latch contained within said casing for preventing movement of said switch, in one direction, in inoperative position of said switch, means operated by the movement of said switch to running position to release said latch after said switch has iirst been .moved to starting position, and a spring located in the starting path of movement of said switch and adapted to be placed under tension by contact with said switch, thrown to running position when released.

7. In a device of the character stated, a casing, a plurality ofA sets of fuses of dili'erent amperages supported within said casing, a double throw switch pivotally mounted intermediately of said sets of fuses, said switch having a rod 25 projecting therefrom tothe exterior of said casing, a front plate 6 having a slot therein through which said yrod passes, a latch 43 having one end piv-v oted to the interior of said plate and its other end supported so that said latch lies normallyin a substantially horizontal line,

a cam face 4G on the under side of said running position, said switch being free latch, and a latch finger 45 intermediate from restraint when so moving.

said cam face and the free end of said latch, the latter coperating With said RUDOLPH H' FENKHAUSEN' switch rod to hold it normally in an inter- Witnesses:

mediate position, but ineective when the FREDERICK BIRDSALL, switch is thrown from the starting to the MAURICE ASHER. 

